Rocking bed mechanism



Feb. 10, 1959 J. R. GROSHOLZ ROCKING BED MECHANISM Filed May 7, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 f/MX A TTORNEY Feb. 10, 1959 J R. GRbSHOLZ ROCKING BED MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 7, 1954 OR 6104 JP ATTORNEY INVENT )p/mw A0 a V United States ROCKING BED MECHANISM James R. Grosholz, Wayne, Pan, assignor to Air-Shields, Inc., Bucks County, Pa, a corporation of Eclaware Application May 7, 1954, Serial No. 428,238 8 Claims. (Cl. 128-28) This invention relates to rocking bed devices and is more particularly concerned with improved construction for driving and supporting structure.

Rocking bed apparatus in which the bed oscillates about a transverse axis has been used in connection with patients who need assistance in their breathing action. The rocking action alternately imposes the weight of the internal organs against the diaphragm and then removes this weight by means of the change in the inclination of the body. In this way the diaphragm is actuated in a manner which imposes a collapsing and expanding action on the lungs. The period at which the rocking motion occurs may be selected to provide a normal breathing interval. Blood circulation is also improved byv this shifting of pressure.

The structural features of the present invention are applicable to rocking beds in general but are particularly valuable in connection with rocking beds constructed for use with infants. In addition to being useful in connection with various respiratory ailments the apparatus is of special value for newly born infants whose breathing functions have not developed to normal because of some malfunctioning in the respiratory system. Apparatus of this nature is particularly elfective for inducing initial breathing in infants who do not respond to the normal methods used to initiate breathing. After inducing initial breathing the apparatus is normally used to assist in maintaining it until normal respiration occurs.

In apparatus of the general type with which the present invention is concerned it is desirable to locate the rocking pivot in a transverse direction above the plane of the bed. It is an important object of the invention to provide a suitable frame structure which supports the bassinet unit in a simple fashion with readily removable structure to allow the bassinet to be quickly attached or removed from the rocking and supporting structure. This construction permits rapid disassembly for purposes of storage or shipment.

A furthre object of the invention is the provision of a rocking bed structure which incorporates a concentrated balance weight at the proper location to give a natural pendular frequency to the apparatus which is close to the normal operating period. This construction permits operation near these natural frequencies with a minimum expenditure of power.

Another object of the invention is the provision of operating mechanism which permits not only the adjustment of the speed of oscillation above and below the normal average, but also provides for adjusting the arnplitude of oscillation in a suitable range thereby permitting change of amplitude to suit the requirements in different cases.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of safety mechanism which prevents damage in the event an object such as the operators hand or arm should be interposed between the frame and the bassinet while it is rocking. In such cases the bassinet can be held so that it rotates about a secondary pivot and thus it does not follow the rocking movement while being restrained by the obstruction.

A still further object is the provision of a cabinet which houses substantially all the mechanism associated with the power source and driving of the rocking bed. Only a minimum of moving parts connecting with the bed proper are located outside the cabinet. Provision is made, however, for access to the various adjustments and operating controls without the need for opening the cabinet.

How the foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention are attained will be clear from the following description of the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of the present invention, a portion of the cabinet and supporting structure being shown in section as indicated by the lines 11, Figure 2.

Figure 1a. is a fragmental elevational view of one of the pivots and associated supporting structure.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the drive mechanism taken in the direction of arrows 22, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view of the operating mechanism taken in the direction of arrows 3--3, Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view to an enlarged scale of the adjustment mechanism used for changing the amplitude of motion.

From the figures it will be seen that the cabinet 10 encloses the power and transmitting mechanism used for oscillating the bed unit. A lid 11 closes the upper part of the cabinet and may be removed for access to the interior. Supported by the cabinet are side frame members 12 Which extend from the cabinet at each side. Supported in the horizontal portion of the frame memoer 12 at each side of the apparatus there is an enlarged part 13, which is preferably of square cross section and provided with a cylindrical opening 14 into which cylindrical upright column 15 is fitted. At the upper end of each column 15' there is a cylindrical housing 16 which encloses the bearing used to support pivot shaft 17. Each shaft 17 is attached to a boss 18 supported on side frame member 19. The particular location of the transverse pivot per se is not part of the present application but is fully disclosed .in co-pending application of Samuel Y. Gibbon, Serial 359,108, filed June 2, 1953 and now Patent No. 2,776,658.

Each side frame member 19 extends downwardly and is connected to a lower frame member 20 which extends transversely to form a sort of cradle structure to support the rocking bed unit. A transverse angle member 21 is fastened to the bottom of bassinet enclosure 22. Transversely extending block or weight 23 is secured to the angle stiffener 211. Side plates 24 are attached to frame members H and the transverse frame member 26 at its ends to form the supporting structure for the bassinet unit 22.

It will be seen that the bassinet is pivotally connected to the side plates 24 by pivot members 25 which engage weight part 23. Transverse rod 26 extends between the two plate members 24 and acts as a support for the bottom of bassinet unit 22. Thus bassinet unit 22 is independently pivoted to the cradle structure by pivots 25 and may be swung upwardly away from the cradle on this pivot. The normal position of the center of gravity of the bassinet and its contents holds the unit in proper position in the cradle as shown. However in case an operator should inadvertently insert his arm or some other object between the side frame 12 and the bottom of the bassinet 22 when it is in its upward position of swing, no damage can be done since the bassinet will swing about pivot 25 and only its weight will be imposed upon the arm or other object. Thus damage is avoided because the of two sections hinged at: 28"so as to permit either end of the lid to be raised independently for access to thepatient. or set. inplace by means of the retention fitting 2S".

Auxiliary. apparatus 30 is shown attached to bassinet 22: This: apparatus is for use in providing oxygen, humidification and other therapeutic uses and forms no part of the present invention per se.

The. drivev mechanism housed in cabinet includes electric motor. 31 which-drives gear reduction unit 32 by means of driver pulley 33; belt 34 and driven pulley 35.

Power isprovided for electric motor 3;. through electricalcable 36 and switch 37. Switch 37 and motor 31 are the completely enclosed type to insure safety against explosion-or fire. Control of switch 37 is by means of small lever 38 located above the top of cabinet 10 at one: end. Lever. 39 and connecting rod 40provide for transmitting the movements of external lever 38h) switch lever 41.

The speed of operation of the apparatus may beregulated' by means of the variable pulley mechanism which will be. best seen in Figures 2 and 3. The variable diameter pulley construction is of the normal type and includes-spring 33a for maintaining the side load on pulley 33; By moving side plate 35a of pulley 35 when the apparatus is running the effective diameter may be changed so that belt34 rides at a-greater or lesser radius according to the adjusted position. Side plate 35a is adjusted by means of knob 42 which extendsoutside the side of. cabinet 10. Adjustment knob 42 is supported in bracket 43 and is threaded toprovide for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect-to bracket 43. Ball bearing 44 supports pulley 35 and transmits the thrust motion developed by rotating knob 42 to the adjustable pulley side plate 35a.

Speed. reducer 32 is equipped with suitable internal gearing to reduce the rotational speed from that of pulley 35 to that oferank member 45. The average speed of eccentric member 45 may be increased or decreased somewhat by means of the variable speed mechanism discussed previously. Connecting rod 46 is attached at one end to crank member 45 by pivot 47 and is attached to vertical arm 48 by pivot 49. Vertical arm 48 is pivotally supported at Stito provide for swinging action under the influence of connecting rod-46. The upper end of the arm 48 is connected by connecting rod 51 to arm 52 whichis rigidly attached, for example by welding, to cross member of the cradle structure in which the bassinet unit is supported.

The details of construction of the vertical arm and its connecting rod attachments will be clearly seen in Figures 1, 3 and 4. In order to provide for different amplitudes of rocking oscillation connecting rod 46 is arranged to be moved with respect to vertical arm 48 and thereby act at different distances from fulcrum or pivot 50. In order to permit change of the position of the pivot structure at 49,- a pair of brackets 53 and 54 are attached to vertical arm 48 and these brackets in turn support threaded rod 55 which extends upwardly and terminates in thumb screw" 56. Thumb screw 56 projects slightly beyond the upper surface or lid 11 of'cabinet 10. Attached to the pivotmember 49 is a cylindrical portion-57 having a femaleihread to fit the thread in rod 55. Slot 58 is provided inarm 48 to permit movement of the pivot member 49 with respect thereto. As will be clear from Figure 4, pivot 49 is attached to the plate 59 which can slide with respect to the arm 48 and acts as a guide forthe' pivot 49 in.its-ditferent positions-of adjustment. Plate-59 also serves as an indicator for the amplitude, position marks With this construction the lid may beremoved being. shown for this-purpose. Rod is prevented-from shifting endwise by means of snap ring and shoulder 61 at the lower end. Spacers 62 and 63 are provided to act as limiting stops for the pivot 49. Thus 'by turning thumb screw 56 the position of pivot 49 may be moved along slot 58 thereby changing the amplitude of motion of the upper end of arm 48 which in turn transmits the movement to the bed unit.

As will be seen in Figure 3 the upper end of arm 48 provides a pivot connection with the horizontal link 51 which is specially arranged to provide for quick disconnection. At the end next the arm 48- connecting-rod 51 has a fork shape with a leg on each side of arm 48. Pivot member 64 is constructed so thatits head may be submerged into one side of arm 51 and lid 65 is provided to swing over the head and hold it in position. By this construction pivot 64 may be quickly removed by swingingthe lid 65 out of place and thus connecting link 51 may bedisconnected from arm 48" thereby providing for removal of the cradle and bassinet unit from the structure. The whole cradle assembly, as previously noted,

may be lifted from the side tube'mem'bers 12 by removing the cylindrical portions of columns 15 from sockets 13. With the adjustable pivot connection described above the amplitude of motion may be varied from the smaller amplitude indicated by angle A. This'angle represents the upper and lower limits to which the horizontal lineH of the bassinet unit will travel when it is swung through the minimum amount of travel. The maximum amplitude of movement isindicated by angle B which is obtained with pivot 49 in its lowest position in slot 58.

Use of the apparatus is relatively simple. The infant is placed in the bassinet unit 22 with its head toward the end adjacent the rocking pivot 17. After adjusting thumb screw 56 to give the desired amplitude the appa'-' ratus is started by turning on the motor through the medium of switch lever 33. The exact speed desircdis then adjusted by means of knob 42. A normal speed of 20 oscillations per'min'ute'with adjustments on either sidefrom approximately 12' oscillations per minute to 30 oscillations'perminute is preferably provided. The equipment is then in operation for resuscitation or similar purposes. If desired lid 27 may be placed in position'and oxygen or humidification may be supplied.

From the foregoing it will be evidentthat I have pro-' vided an improved construction for rocking beds, particularly for those for use with infants. The angular movement produces the desired physical efiect in displacing the weight of the internal organs so that effective resuscitation action may be applied to the diaphragm and improved blood circulation is induced by change in direction of pressure. forsupporting the bassinet unit it may bereadily removedas a single assembly from the driving unit. Also by pivoting the bassinet unit to the cradle structure a further simple separation of the bassinet from the cradle structure is possible. This same pivot arrangement provides the additional safety action in which the bassinet unit may pivot with respect to the swinging cradle. By suitable location and weight of the counterweight structure there is provided not only static balance but proper natural period of operation which results in a minimum of power since the pendular frequency is close to that of the desired operational speed. The simple manually operated screw adjustment mechanism provides an improved extending above said cabinet, a bed unit supported on said frame by a transverse pivot, drive mechanism including..-power means and speed varying means housed' in said cabinet, a vertical rodpivotally supported at its lower end extending from' saidcabit'iet'; said' ro'd' being By use of the cradle structure gamer? connected to the under side of said bed unit by means of a horizontal connecting rod, a motion producing connecting device attached to said vertical rod including position adjusting means for changing the location of said device on said vertical rod to change the amplitude of oscillating movement of said rod, said horizontal connecting rod having a pivot structure attaching it to said vertical rod, said position adjusting means including a bracket attached to said vertical rod, a threaded adjust- 'ing rod supported on said bracket, said threaded rod being in engagement with said pivot structure.

2. A construction according to claim 1 wherein speed varying mechanism is enclosed in said cabinet, a manual control connected to said speed varying mechanism having a part projecting outside of said cabinet.

3. A rocking bed assembly having an enclosed cabinet, a frame extending above said cabinet, a bed unit supported on said frame by a transverse pivot structure, drive mechanism housed in said cabinet including a driving motor, a vertical rod pivoted at its lower end and extending out of said cabinet, a horizontal connecting rod pivotally attached to said vertical rod inside said cabinet, pivot mechanism supported on said vertical rod for movement in a longitudinal direction along said vertical rod, a manual adjusting member interconnecting said vertical rod and said pivot mechanism, the upper end of said member projecting through the top of said cabinet.

4. A rocking bed construction including a bed unit, a supporting structure therefor, said bed unit being mounted on said structure by a transverse pivot located above the plane of the bed surface and close to the head end of the bed unit, a ballast weight attached to the head end of the bed unit having a mass to provide approximate weight balance about said pivot.

5. A construction according to claim 4 in which the ballast weight is selected as to mass and location to provide a natural pendular frequency of the bed unit approximating the breathing period of an infant.

6. A rocking bed having a supporting structure, a

bed assembly including a bed unit and a cradle structure in which said bed unit is supported, a rocking pivot mounting attached to said cradle structure located with the pivotal axis in the transverse direction and above the bottom of said bed unit, said bed unit being also attached to said cradle structure by a second transverse pivot located nearer to the head end thereof than the axis of said rocking pivot mounting.

7. A rocking bed device having a supporting structure with a pair of horizontal side. rail members, a rocking unit including an occupants support having a pair of pivotal parts located one on each side near the head end thereof, a pair of cooperating pivotal parts engaging the first pivotal parts, each of said last-mentioned parts being supported on one of the horizontal side rail members by a readily separable telescoping connection thereby providing for removal of said occupants support and said pivotal parts from the supporting structure.

8. A rocking bed having a supporting structure, a bed assembly including a bed unit and a cradle structure in which said bed unit is supported, a transverse rocking pivot structure supporting said cradle structure on said supporting structure, and a second transverse pivot supporting said bed unit on said cradle structure, said first pivot structure being near the head end and above the bottom surface of said bed unit and said second pivot being below the bottom surface of said bed unit and nearer the head end than said'first pivot structure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain flfl Mar. 12, 1952 

